Cast of Newcastle Pantomime gather at Theatre Royal to celebrate Danny and Clive’s 20th Season – with extra performance 

With just over three months to go until they open their 20th season as stars of the panto at Newcastle Theatre Royal, Danny Adams and Clive Webb joined with the rest of the Aladdin cast for an exclusive first look at costumes and to look back on an extraordinary legacy as the North East’s most beloved panto duo.

The father and son act were accompanied at the theatre in Grey Street by panto dame Chris Hayward who plays the ever-glamorous Mother Goose, complete with starched frock and feathered bonnet; and local singer-songwriter Joe McElderry flew in as The Spirit of the Ring with sparkle-frosted wings and a satin lavender two-piece. The costume-clad line-up was completed by audience favourites Mick Potts, who modelled a tall, pointed hat and sparkly suit as the majestic Genie of the Lamp, and Wayne Smith in a heavy regal robe as Old King Cole.

Danny Adams, who will play Aladdin, said: “Every year we say we can’t wait for panto to start, but this year, with it being our 20th anniversary and with it being a completely new twist on Aladdin with a North East and Newcastle feel, it’s going to be fantastic.”

To mark their anniversary, Newcastle Theatre Royal have extended the run of this year’s panto, by one week, ensuring that more people can be part of the magic during their milestone season.

Last year’s show, The Little Mermaid, was our fastest selling and was seen by over 84,000 people. The extension of 10 extra performances at the end of the run will take the total performances to 85 – making room for another 12,000 people to come and join the fun.

Danny added: “We’re so grateful to have such great audiences who embrace the panto every time we do it. There’s no place in the country like Newcastle for the pantomime. For our style of comedy, the daft and silly slapstick, the Geordies are the best audience, they’re the daftest people around – in the best possible way.”

The line-up for Aladdin will include West-End stars Rachel Stanley as The Wicked Witch, and Billie-Kay as Princess Jemima, making this Aladdin as you’ve never seen it before!

With dazzling new sets and costumes designed exclusively for Newcastle Theatre Royal, Director Michael Harrison jo brings audiences an all-new adventure set in the Royal Kingdom of Pantomania. Expect wicked witches, dancing geese, and a magical flying carpet, as this brand-new version of Aladdin takes pantomime into the 21st century.

Michael Harrison, will also celebrate his 20th year as producer and creator of Newcastle Theatre Royal pantomimes. He said: “Newcastle Theatre Royal holds a special place in my heart, as I grew up watching pantomimes here as a child. We are absolutely thrilled to extend Aladdin for an extra week. Year after year, Newcastle’s pantomime is our fastest-selling, and this year is no exception. With the return of Danny, Clive, Joe, Chris and Mick, and a production designed especially for Newcastle, this is truly set to be a panto like no other. We can’t wait for even more audiences to experience the magic!”

Marianne Locatori, Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Chief Executive, said: “As Danny, Clive and Michael celebrate their 20th panto season here at Newcastle Theatre Royal, we’ve extended this year’s show to eight weeks ensuring that even more people have the chance to be part of the festive fun and experience the special panto magic we all love from Michael’s spectacular productions.

“Our audiences are as loyal as ever and they come back again and again to see the brilliant dynamic comedy duo that is Danny and Clive, alongside our wonderfully talented panto company. We’re delighted that together we’ll be making more memories that last a lifetime, and we look forward to seeing more of you at our theatre for the extra performances.”

Aladdin plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 25 Nov 2025 – Sun 18 Jan 2026.

Tickets for the extended dates are already on sale – but the best seats won’t last long!